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adj Uncommon

ceremonial

seh-rih-MOH-nih-uhl

Ceremonial (adj) means relating to or used in a formal ceremony. Example: “The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation.”

adj
1
Relating to or used in a formal ceremony.
"The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation."
noun
1
A formal ritual or set procedure used on official occasions.
"The opening ceremonial included a traditional dance."

How to use ceremonial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to formal ritual or official events, rather than everyday, practical use.

Common mistake

A "ceremonial" role or title is often symbolic, with no real power — e.g., a ceremonial head of state.

Common pairings
ceremonial role ceremonial dress ceremonial duties

Word forms

more ceremonial comparative, ceremonials plural, most ceremonial superlative

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The king wore his _____ robes for the coronation.

Etymology

From Latin caerimonialis, related to ceremony.

Origin: Latin

ceremony observance ceremonial occasion

Related words

Rhymes for ceremonial

See all rhymes for ceremonial →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ceremonial” mean?

The word “ceremonial” means relating to or used in a formal ceremony. In plain terms, relating to formal ritual or official events, rather than everyday, practical use.

How do you pronounce “ceremonial”?

“Ceremonial” is pronounced seh-rih-MOH-nih-uhl (/ˌsɛɹɪˈmoʊniəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “ceremonial” in a sentence?

Here is “ceremonial” used in a sentence: “The king wore his ceremonial robes for the coronation.”

What part of speech is “ceremonial”?

Depending on how it is used, “ceremonial” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “ceremonial” come from?

The word “ceremonial” comes from Latin. From Latin caerimonialis, related to ceremony.

Is “ceremonial” a common word?

“Ceremonial” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ceremonial” have?

“Ceremonial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or used in a formal ceremony.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial